Gareth Westmorland's opinion - Ignore water under bridge since March win at Giants

It was Round Six, and Hull KR were made to look like world-beaters against a lacklustre Giants outfit.

The 38-6 victory at the John Smith’s Stadium saw the Robins hammer Huddersfield in West Yorkshire and perhaps helped the expectation soar within the Rovers supporters who were there that evening.

But it’s been far from plain sailing since for Tim Sheens’ men. Just two more league wins have arrived since that success, with last week’s draw at Castleford Tigers taking KR up to just nine points on the ladder.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield are unrecognisable. Under Rick Stone’s tutelage, the Giants were slowly and surely becoming Qualifiers certainties yet with new boss Simon Woolford at the helm, they are now in the driving seat for the top-eight.

A win for the visitors may signal the end for Rovers’ lofty ambitions, so in turn, this needs to be treated as a Cup final. The returns of Danny McGuire, along with Shaun Lunt last week, gives KR every chance of what would be a hugely surprising victory.

Play like they did in the final ten minutes against Castleford and they’ll stun the Giants. Rovers must chance their arm yet be conservative at the same time, and it’s a must-win match for me.

Prediction: Rovers by six

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Talking points

Giants can be caught out with kicks

FORTUNE favours the brave and Rovers must have that in abundance with their kicking game.

Perhaps it’s a foolish tactic to kick to one of the league’s most devastating wingers in Jermaine McGillvary, but with Danny McGuire and Chris Atkin back in the halves, the pair will plot many scores from the boot.

Hull KR's Chris Atkin scores against Wigan Warriors

Against Catalans Dragons last week, the Giants were susceptible under the cross-field kick and it’s something that Tim Sheens must recognise ahead of this affair.

KR in turn must be clinical and challenge every ball that ends up in the air or their efforts will come to absolutely nothing.

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Who will slot in as the second winger?

KR fans were baffled when Tim Sheens named his 19-man squad because of the fact that there was only one recognised winger in the team, in the form of Ryan Shaw.

Elliot Wallis misses out with a knee problem which will be assessed over the next few weeks, with Will Oakes not selected by the Robins boss.

Hull KR's Junior Vaivai

Justin Carney remains a week or two away from selection due to a broken hand. So who will slot in at left-wing? The best bet is usual centre Junior Vaivai, with Maurice Blair moving to the left side to partner the USA international.

Shaw will link back up again with Liam Salter who missed the draw against Castleford. Whoever deals with Jermaine McGillvary and Leroy Cudjoe have their work cut out!

Key battle

KEY BATTLE: Danny McGuire vs Jordan Turner. (Image: SWpix)

NO pressure, then, on the 35-year-old from being the main man for Hull KR.

Danny McGuire is back in the Rovers spotlight having missed the last six matches with a blood clot injury, and his presence will be welcomed by all in red and white.

His game management, it has to be said, has been lacking in recent weeks where KR have been unable to keep their cool in pressure situations. Tonight is certainly one of them.

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Jordan Turner’s switch to the halves in recent weeks has coincided with Huddersfield’s upturn in performance and together with Jordan Rankin at full-back, the former Hull FC duo can cause chaos if not closed down and beaten.

Team news and possible line-ups

Danny McGuire is set to make his long-awaited Hull KR comeback tonight against Huddersfield Giants.

Recovering from a blood clot injury, McGuire trained fully with the squad in yesterday’s team-run and providing there are no further hiccups, he’ll take to the field.